Breakfast on the plane and arrive Heathrow for 9.00am

Clear customs, meet coach and driver for transfer to Torquay.
This is England!  The drive takes us through lush countryside, past the famous stone circle of Stonehenge and many quaint villages   We will stop for a break in the town of Shaftesbury and gather for lunch at  Turnbulls’ their renowned café. Then time for a walk along the cobbled streets of this ancient town.  There are good shops, the town museum, the abbey ruins antique shops, and market to explore.  I will be there to guide you.

Return to the coach for remaining drive to Torquay.  This seaside resort is referred to as the English Riviera.  It has a continental feel with its style and setting amongst its many hotels and villas overlooking the harbour. It has excellent shops and beautiful gardens, making this a very popular resort.

Stay at Lincombe Hall for two nights. Dine at the hotel.

After a late breakfast, a walk to the quayside and then take the ferry to Brixham.  We are going to visit Greenway, the home of Agatha Christie.  It should be great fun to see where she wrote her many detective stories.  After lunching we can take the coach to Coleton Fishacre.  This was the home of Rupert D’Oyle Carte.  Not surprisingly a light joyful atmosphere fills the elegant rooms and music plays echoing the family’s Gilbert and Sullivan connections.  This Arts & Crafts style house enjoys a luxuriant garden by the sea.

Return to Torquay for a relaxed afternoon, dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Hotfoot we set off for Lanhydrock, a magnificent country, house which has been lived in for generations by the Robartes family.  Expect a colorful display of rhododendrons-these exquisite shrubs are at their blooming best at this time of year.

We will arrive for Lunch in the village of Mevagissey.  A warm welcome awaits us at the Tremarne Hotel where Michael Judge, the owner, will be waiting to welcome you to his hotel.  We will make this our home for the next four nights.

Those who wish are invited to join a visit to Caerhayes Castle garden. Others may wish to relax at the hotel or to explore the charming village of Mevagissey.

Dine at Hotel.

From the village of Penzance we take a helicopter flight to the Isle of Scilly to visit the tropical Tresco Gardens for the day.  Pray for good weather since the views from the helicopter are amazing.

Return to Tremarne Hotel for dinner.

Trevarno Country Estate Gardens near Helston awaits our visit this morning.  The gardens boast many interesting features for us to explore.  Do not worry, we will have a guide.  The National Museum of gardening is a remarkable celebration of Britain's great gardening heritage, housing the Country's largest and most comprehensive collection of gardening antiques, memorabilia and ephemera, creatively displayed in ten themed areas.  "It alone is worth a long journey to see", according to the RHS Garden Finder 2004-2005.  Be ready to experience the most stunning spread of daffodils that you have ever seen!

Close by are the Trebar gardens where we will lunch.   Not simply a charming garden but Trebar is famous also for the memorial to the Americans who set off from the gardens’ creek beach for Normandy and the D-day Landings.  The same beach is famous for its views across to ‘the French Mans Creek” of Daphne du Maurier fame.

Time permitting we will stop at the pretty Trelissick gardens on our way home.   By this time you will be experts on the rhododendron and some unusual and lovely spring flowers.

Return to Tremarne Hotel.

St. Michaels Mount is our exciting destination today.  This island castle can only be reached at low tide by a walk across a legendary causeway where a giant once walked!   At high tide we must take a short ferry ride to the island.    This is a fairy tale island castle, you will learn much from our guide.  This is Cornwall, the castle gardens are a joy.   In the afternoon we visit St Ives, famous for its artist’s community, especially the Barbara Hepworth Museum and the Tate St. Ives.  There are many intriguing little seaside shops in this ancient fishing port.  Dinner on your own, perhaps fish and chips at the famous local Mevagisssey chippy!

Sadly, our final night at Tremarne Hotel.

Morning in Mevagissey or a walk to the headland chapel – your choice.

Early afternoon, we will stroll around the Lost Gardens of Heligan and then drive to Padstow where we will take the evening cooking class at Rick Stein’s world famous Cooking School.  Rick Stein is the chef of the moment in Europe.  Have no fear, our dinner will be delicious!

As we are at the school, we will also spend the night at one of Rick’s charming little hotels in this pretty town.  If you are a fan of Doc Martin, you will recognize his home town, Padstow!

Spend the day at Tintagel.  This is the very beautiful and dramatic spot, the site of the conception of King Arthur and the many tales that followed!  There is much to see here.   

Lunch will be on your own in Tintagel.  Try a local favorite, a Cornish pasty and a cream tea!

Drive on to Tetbury where we will dine and spend the night at the Hare and Hounds.  You will love this elegant country house hotel with its expansive grounds.

This is a highpoint of our tour as today we are honoured to visit the gardens of  Highgrove House, the home of Prince Charles.  I am an admirer of this very individual garden which reflects the taste of His Royal Highness. Not only is the garden very special, but this visit will give a great appreciation for the work of HRH Prince Charles and an insight into his life and that of his sons.